COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEERING 2021

All students in Years 9- to 11 participate in the Community Service Volunteering program (CSV-12) by volunteering for at least 12 hours each year. Their volunteering activities are wide ranging. Usually, students help at op shops, toylibraries, aged care homes, sports clubs, dance schools, Auskick, and childcare centres. They have supported Lentil As Anything, Fareshare, the Sacred Heart Mission and havepreviously volunteered as surf life savers. Of course, most of these activities were not possible during COVID lockdowns so our Ruyton girls found new and innovative ways tohelp people in need. For many Ruyton students, the community they want to live in is one where all children have an equal opportunity to learn and be educated. For this reason, many of our students have participated in online tutoring and reading programs over the last 18 months. These programs have included Kids Space in Yarra, a homework club for Sudanese children living in communities in Collingwood. Others have participated in an online reading and conversation with kindergarten children in Lopburi, Thailand. The Thai children loved their Ruyton buddies and looked forward to their weekly meetings. For the Ruyton students, itwas a great opportunity to learn about other cultures too.

‘What I enjoyed most was that I saw Aki learn and grow through talking to me every week which was really lovely to see. I also liked learning about Thai culture, for example Aki taught me about traditional Thai desserts andfood that he made with his mum.’ Ruyton has had a long connection with TheSmith Family and its Student to Student Reading Buddies Program. Twice a week through 2021, the buddies connected online andthe older buddy listened to the younger one read, providing feedback and encouragement. One of the Ruyton buddies said, ‘the Smith Reading Program is a program I would recommend to everyone. It is a fun and enjoyable environment whereby reading with the same boy or girl each week I have been able to actively see their improvements and create abond of trust.’ Throughout the pandemic, many of our students found creative and thoughtful ways to bring cheer to others. We have had students knitting squares for Knit One Give One, making blankets and clothing for Miracle Babies, crocheting little hearts and toys for 1000 Hearts and writing letters to the residents of aged care homes. These items and letters became gifts ofcheer for people during lockdown. Our students regularly participate in door-knocking or at stalls set up outside supermarkets. This year, the opportunity to doso was very limited, so it was lovely to see so many of the Ruyton students supporting this vital fundraising program. Other volunteer activities included assisting with Orygen Youth Mental Health, and digital volunteering for the Australian Museum. For some students, picking up rubbish in their local park was a valuable activity to support their community. During this time of restrictions, separations and disappointment, many Ruyton students gave support through their volunteering efforts. They should be proud of themselves and the difference they have made to the lives of others. Julie Hoskins Coordinator of Community Service